You can’t say that Joe Boris hasn’t earned his stripes in the service of music. Anyone who can include the likes of Clarence Clemons, Hot Tuna’s Michael Falzarano, Garth Hudson, and Buddy Cage of New Riders of the Purple Sage fame on their resume is undoubtedly someone who has “been there and got the t-shirt,” as the saying goes, and done so numerous times. And that is before we get to his tenure writing for and fronting One-Eyed Jack.
And that experience and talent shine through on his latest album, Arising, thirteen scintillating songs that head into a slightly more West Coast vibe rather than play to his Atlantic shore roots.
There are seductive and smooth Latin grooves with “I Feel Alive,” funky country rock courtesy of “Cayenne Rain,” and soulful ballads in the form of “Anyway I Do.” “Brother Tom” blends acoustic dexterity with an understated southern groove and “Jive Time Mind” goes full R&B, saxophones howl at the moon, bar-room pianos drive hard and if you aren’t dancing around the room, even if it is just your kitchen… especially if it is your kitchen, by the time the song is even halfway through, then music probably isn’t for you!
If I were to give you this album and tell you it is a greatest hits album, you wouldn’t raise even the slightest argument—trust me, I’m a journalist!
Discover more from Dancing About Architecture
Subscribe to get the latest posts sent to your email.
